Alex Scalzitti

@alex.scalzitti

The first time I visited Japan was in 1994 and at that time I visited Tokyo area and Miyazaki. That was a terrific experience because I could see the difference between large and crowded Japanese cities and small ones. Miyazaki Prefecture has now a population of a little more than 1,120,000 inhabitants which corresponds to about 3% of the population of Tokyo Metro.

If you are looking for commercial districts to buy top generation electronic devices, if you want to enjoy maid cafés, if you want to go to Harajuku-like areas, I think Miyazaki is not the place for you. However, if you want to find out where the Japanese Gods and first Emperor were born, have a very close look at Japanese arts and culture, enjoy the local wonderful nature, try the local rich gastronomy and listen to a very kind Japanese language accent, then you will have a terrific experience here.

Surprisingly, as an Italian-Brazilian, I don’t miss the pizza restaurants of São Paulo City that much because I could find extraordinary Italian restaurants here. The reason for good Italian food in Miyazaki is simple: very good chefs and locally produced tomatoes and cheese. Agricultural and dairy products of Miyazaki Prefecture are famous in all Japan.

Miyazaki is one of the places in Japan where you can go hiking on the mountains in the morning, go to the beach and relax at a spa in the afternoon and try local specialties in the evening... and the time you will spend to move from one place to another by car is no more than 30 minutes.

I have been living here since 2004. I have never lived in other Japanese cities, so what I know about Japan and the Japanese people has a very strong Miyazaki component such as the local accent of my Japanese.

In addition to my work with Japan Tourist I do mathematical research, teach foreign languages (English, German and Brazilian Portuguese), work as a freelance translator and interpreter and offer other services related to language. My hobbies are naginata (and other martial arts), long distance walking, weight training, reading, foreign language learning.

Here at Japan Tourist I will do my best to give you an insight of Miyazaki Prefecture that only a native can give. Especially for Miyazaki City, I will take you places that even natives don’t know.

Nan macchotto? Hayo Miyazaki ni kinai!

What are you waiting for? Come to Miyazaki!